Page 14 of Naughty & Nice

“Only to me.” She smiles in my direction. I know she’s excited to see me all worked up over a man. She’s tried setting me up to no avail. But I’ve never felt this drawn to anyone until Mr. Grumpypants arrived.

“As I was saying, before you drifted off into never-never land. I have your birthday all figured out. We ask Sam if he can make barbeque and brisket like he had at his party, then go to Pour Decisions and live it up. Do you want a cake or cupcakes for your big day?”

“Do I have to make them?” I laugh.

“If you want them at your party, probably so.” Alden chuckles.

“Well, I could make more penis cupcakes. I have leftover candy. I could probably even use the melting chocolate to make nipples for the guys’ cupcakes.”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake, Addy. What kind of reputation do you want to give my bakery?”

“Well, if I’m making my own celebration treats, why not have fun with it?”

The bell chimes, interrupting our conversation, and I notice three burly firefighters walking in. Jason and Matthew are in the front, but I realize it isn’t Dave but Trevor with them.”

“Hello, boys. Slow day at the firehouse?” Cece asks from her perch.

“Is it ever. I never thought I’d be wishing for a call for a cat stuck up a tree.”

“Is this a social call, or can I help you guys with something?” Alden chimes in.

“We’re trying to spice up the day a little. We’re planning to make Mexican tonight. Steak, chicken, and shrimp fajitas. They’re probably going to set off fire alarms, and we wondered if you had anything sweet to finish it off with.”

Alden turns to me. We’ve never really had any international pastry items. “I’m not sure if you are looking for anything specific. We just have the usual.”

Suddenly it dawns on me. I made a Tres Leches cake once, and it was super easy. “I have an idea. It’s a sweet Mexican dessert. It won’t take long to make. I can drop it by later if you like.”

“Wow, Addy. That’d be great,” Matthew answers, giving me a bright smile. He’s one of the sweeter guys in the group. Not so rowdy.

Jason walks over, giving me a side hug. “You really are the sweetest thing.” He squeezes me in a dramatic, teasing fashion before walking toward the door.

My eyes connect with Trevor’s, and I almost have to take a step back. He’s practically glaring at me. What the hell? Why does he always look so uptight?

I’m going to wear this boy down. Just watch me.

* * *

Arriving at the firehouse on my way home from work, I turn and use the back of my heel to knock on the door. The sheet cake I’m holding is too precarious to use my arms or hands.

The door flies open, and I’m standing face to face with Trevor, who’s wearing a blank expression.

“Um, thank you. Can I come in?”

“Sure, sassy. Come on through.”

Really?

The decadent aroma of grilled meats and vegetables combined with the scent of cumin and red pepper envelop me. “Oh my gosh, it always smells so good in here. You guys honestly need to open a Firehouse Restaurant. Your food is better than anything in town.”

“Oh, you should join us. We have plenty,” Matthew says, wearing an apron that says, ‘This guy rubs his own meat.’

“Hey, Addy. What did you bring us?” Jason asks as he zooms in on the pastry box.

“It’s the Tres Leches cake I told you about. It’s a poke cake. You drizzle it with three kinds of milk, which get absorbed into the cake. Plus, it has a whipped topping with berries.”

Dave leans over my shoulder, peering into the box. “That looks amazing. Did it take you long to make?”

“No, it was easy.”

---